Parents in Ontario are feeling anxious after the Ford government announced a review of underused schools in certain districts. This move has raised concerns about the fate of smaller specialty schools if the ban on school closures is removed.
Elizabeth Garkowski shared with CityNews her worries about her children attending a small school that might be at risk of closure. She emphasized the importance of ensuring vital support for her daughter’s education, urging that children should not be treated as mere budget items.
The Education Minister’s Office confirmed that Minister Paul Calandra has instructed supervised boards to assess surplus properties to redirect resources back to classrooms. The province has taken control of six school boards due to mismanagement, including prominent ones like the Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board.
Despite the review, the moratorium on school closures remains intact. Concerned parents like Sandra Huh question which schools might be considered surplus and potentially face closure.
Opposition critics, such as Liberal Leader John Fraser, have raised suspicions about the timing of the review, expressing concerns about the government’s intentions regarding school properties.
The moratorium on school closures was implemented in 2017 by the previous Liberal government to address criticisms of school boards prioritizing budget cuts over student and community needs. While some school boards have requested lifting the ban due to financial strains, advocates like Garkowski and NDP Education Critic Chandra Pasma emphasize the importance of adequate funding to support community schools and provide resources for students.
Minister Calandra has assured that the moratorium will not be lifted in rural areas.